Mme Mysterioso at moi are going on Eurostar to Paris in a couple of weeks for three nights, staying near the Gare Du Nord.
Any ideas about how to maximise the experience culturally, supping, sights, keeping out of bother, travel and so on?

Mme Mysterioso at moi are going on Eurostar to Paris in a couple of weeks for three nights, staying near the Gare Du Nord.Any ideas about how to maximise the experience culturally, supping, sights, keeping out of bother, travel and so on?

Mme Mysterioso at moi are going on Eurostar to Paris in a couple of weeks for three nights, staying near the Gare Du Nord.Any ideas about how to maximise the experience culturally, supping, sights, keeping out of bother, travel and so on?

The area around Gare du Nord has always been a bit dodgy. I haven't been for some years but the Marais was particularly agreeable when I was last there, particularly around Rue Vieille du Temple. Nice inexpensive bars and bistros.

It's quite possible to eat very well relatively cheaply in Paris, if you avoid the obvious tourist hotspots like the Champs Elysee and Trocadero almost any cafe / restaurant will offer a variety of dishes at a range of budgets.

That said Montmartre is a tourist hotspot that is well worth visiting where I have managed to find inexpensive cafes and restaurants, a particularly good area for sitting and watching the world go by.

There's a cafe on the roof of Galeries Lafayette (or used to be) where they sell coffee with a view over most of the city, also always used to be quite inexpensive.

It's quite possible to eat very well relatively cheaply in Paris, if you avoid the obvious tourist hotspots like the Champs Elysee and Trocadero almost any cafe / restaurant will offer a variety of dishes at a range of budgets.

That said Montmartre is a tourist hotspot that is well worth visiting where I have managed to find inexpensive cafes and restaurants, a particularly good area for sitting and watching the world go by.

There's a cafe on the roof of Galeries Lafayette (or used to be) where they sell coffee with a view over most of the city, also always used to be quite inexpensive.

thanks shad. We plan to move around a bit. I want to photograph myself to death. What's it like on the metro? What are tyhe most photogenic parts to visit?

The area around Gare du Nord has always been a bit dodgy. I haven't been for some years but the Marais was particularly agreeable when I was last there, particularly around Rue Vieille du Temple. Nice inexpensive bars and bistros.

duly noted Weary. I like dodgy in some ways. The gaff we are staying seems ok though.

I was in Paris three weeks ago and it was wonderful.Meals and transport were reasonably priced but beer is the equivalent of £8 a pint(4 euros for 25cl).

As stated above Gare du Nord is not the most salubrious area but Montmartre (where we stayed - metro Abbesses ) is only 10 minutes by Metro or 20 minutes walk.The Marais is good and the Bastille area is lively.

If you like good beer (ie not lager) go to La Fine Mousse(metro Menilmontant)- not far from Pere Lachaise Cemetery for the best choice of beer in Paris.

Obvious cultural highlights are the Louvre,Musee D'Orsay,Tour Eiffel and the Picasso Museum but just walking around Paris is a rich cultural experience.

I was in Paris three weeks ago and it was wonderful.Meals and transport were reasonably priced but beer is the equivalent of £8 a pint(4 euros for 25cl).

As stated above Gare du Nord is not the most salubrious area but Montmartre (where we stayed - metro Abbesses ) is only 10 minutes by Metro or 20 minutes walk.The Marais is good and the Bastille area is lively.

If you like good beer (ie not lager) go to La Fine Mousse(metro Menilmontant)- not far from Pere Lachaise Cemetery for the best choice of beer in Paris.

Obvious cultural highlights are the Louvre,Musee D'Orsay,Tour Eiffel and the Picasso Museum but just walking around Paris is a rich cultural experience.

Enjoy yourselves.

we plan to. It's one of those things thsat you want to do before you snuff it, so spending a few bob is ok. just ordered a lonely planet guide. and am buzzing.

thanks shad. We plan to move around a bit. I want to photograph myself to death. What's it like on the metro? What are tyhe most photogenic parts to visit?

Metro is fantastic, they have a load of info on their website (in English) about types of tickets http://www.ratp.fr/e...y-your-tickets/As far as most photogenic parts, it's a tough call with Paris but I'd be sure to visit Montmartre as well as the standard Champs Elysees, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Louvre etc. I'd take a wander past the Centre George Pompidou as well, there always used to be a load of street entertainment there. Proper entertainment, musicians, jugglers and acrobats. The occasional Mime artist and living statue but not too many in need of a slap.

If you're not bothered about heights and you can put up with the queue, take the trip to the top of the Eiffel Tower. It's an experience worth having. I don't normally have the patience to queue for anything but I'm glad I did.

We stayed in Montmartre and absolutely loved it. Paris is such a great city it's just a good place to 'be'. I'm sure you'll really enjoy it.

As others have said above, the metro is excellent.

"I own up. I am a serial risk taker. I live in a flood zone, cycle without a helmet, drink alcohol and on Sunday I had bacon for breakfast."